ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a brief overview of select central interpreters of the doctrine of the virgin birth in the Western Christian tradition in order to set Karl Barth's contribution in its theological context. It provides an exposition of the methodological and exegetical features of Barth's development of the doctrine of the virgin birth from his first professorship up to the introductory volume of the Church Dogmatics (CD). The book presents an exposition of Barth's treatment of the figure of Mary with special attention to how Barth's doctrine of the virgin birth shapes his understanding of the relationship between divine grace and human agency. It finally deals with a series of critical questions probing the implications of Barth's doctrine of the virgin birth for broader themes in his theology, such as his theological hermeneutics, the doctrine of the humanity of Christ and pneumatology.
